My muse has been resting after the release of my latest book – Magical Whispers. I am trying to stir her with the following prompt:
dVerse Poetics #428, “Poetry as Witness”: Frank writes, “So tonight poets, let’s bear witness in our local neighbourhood.”
When I chose to write about neighborhood wildfires, she reminded me of How Fragile is Life!
She told me to share that poem again. I’ve kicked her awake yet not satisfied with her half-hearted effort.
Here it goes:
Each year I witness,
Wildfires that ravage homes
Bringing along boundless misery.
I’ve only seen the smoke
But neighborhoods go up in it
Perish forever.
Hazy skies hold little promise
As we coop inside our homes
To avoid unhealthy air.
Life goes on for us
But it halts for those
Who were at the mercy of flames.
© Balroop Singh
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Lovely poem, Balroop. It’s sad but true. ❤
Yes Vashti, the new reality of life!
You’re right.
Sees to be our new normal, Balroop. A poem full of sadness.
Hope this new normal fades away faster, hope human apathy changes and we never have to face such devastation again.
Each year indeed, and this shared loss around the world – California, Australia, India, Brazil, Europe – a global loss. Thank you for sharing this poignant piece.
This is a recent phenomenon, could we imagine such a scenario ten years ago? Thank you Peter for sharing your thoughts.
Sad, but so beautiful, Balroop. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for coming over to read and comment Jill.
I took a picture similar to this from my front yard. Southern California on fire! Luckily, it was 5 miles away in an fairly uninhabited part of the area–only 1 house burned. Nothing is more frightening than those billowing dark clouds.
We were driving by when I saw this billowing cloud of fire raging nearby three years ago but now there have been worse ones.
Such a disheartening poem and reality Balroop, but yet you tell it gracefully. 🙂
Thank you Deb, realities are disheartening when people feel helpless.
So true.
As a fellow Californian, I totally get you. We just got our first significant rain in the Sacramento area, and I always breathe a sigh of relief. The new normal sucks.
But your lovely poem at least teased some art from our anxiety. And every voice raised hopefully adds to the solution.
Sorry it took so long to repay the blog visit, but hopefully the wait is worth it. I just bought your book. Review to follow soon. : )
The clouds have been hovering here in San Ramon but just a drizzle! Thank you for coming over Cathleen, always appreciated. Wow! I am delighted to hear that you are reading another book of mine. Thanks 🤗
It is hard to imagine what these people have undergone but it sounds devastating when in a matter of minutes your entire world is burned down. Lately, we have seen the wildfires causing so much devastation in the US, Brazil, Australia, Greece, and Indonesia. It is an ecological disaster. You have penned beautifully.
I took this shot 3 years ago when we were driving by, though far but it was suffocating arv. We see this horror every year now and yes, it is devastating for those who have to flee, leaving everything behind. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I do feel a lot of this is intentional in some parts of the world.
Beautiful poem and relatable for me, Balroop. I think you’re just across the bay, too. 🙂 The arrival of the cooler weather has been refreshing, but now a little rain would be a sigh of relief. Still, my heart breaks for those who have lost so much. This new normal is unsettling, to put it mildly.
Thanks Lauren. We’ve waiting for some showers but clouds just passed by though the threat of wildfire is almost over now.
A scary thing to bear witness to, Balroop. You’ve captured it well!
Thanks Lisa. Some scenarios are difficult to avoid.
The fires this year horrified me, Balrrop. We pray for mercy.
Well said Miriam 😊
Somehow the nature doesn’t break this horrible cycle. It’s so sad, Balroop.
A sad and moving poem, Balroop. I do feel this oppressive air around me, even when I am fortunate and feeling safe. xx
We see this horror every year Erica and nobody seems to be in any position to find a solution. ☹️
My heart goes out to everyone affected by those fires.
Thank you for the visit Mark, much appreciated.